As the summer sun warms the UK, a special kind of visitor arrives in our skies, the Swift. These incredible birds travel over 3,000 miles from Africa every year, just to spend a few short months here to breed. They’re fast, fascinating, and full of surprises and they need our help.
Why Swifts matter
Swifts are amazing. They eat, sleep, drink, and even mate while flying. In fact, they only land to nest. With long, curved wings and a high-pitched screech, they can be spotted darting across the sky in groups, especially on warm evenings.
But although they are still a common sight in some places, Swift numbers have dropped by 66% since 1995. That’s a huge decline for a bird that once filled our towns with their summer calls.
One reason for this is a lack of nesting spaces. Swifts like to nest in small gaps high up in buildings, places that are becoming harder to find as older buildings are renovated or knocked down.
Helping Swifts take flight again
Swifts nest in colonies, which means they like to live close to other Swifts. So, it’s not just about putting up one Swift box, it’s about creating whole communities.
Here are some smart ways we can all help:
- Install multiple nest boxes, or boxes with several nest spaces inside.
- Use tweeters that play Swift calls to attract birds to new sites.
At Affinity Water, we’ve already installed 31 Swift boxes at 11 of our sites where the buildings and surroundings are perfect for nesting. That’s a total capacity of 93 homes for Swifts! We’re planning to install even more over the next five years to support these spectacular birds.
You can also explore Swift Mapper, a brilliant online tool where you can check sightings in your area and find out if there are nesting Swifts near you. You can even add your own sightings to help the national picture!
How to install a Swift box in your garden
You don’t need to be an expert to give Swifts a helping hand. With a little planning, you can turn your home into a safe stop-off for these high-flying visitors. Team up with your neighbours to create "Swift Streets", these are whole rows of homes fitted with multiple Swift boxes to give these birds the best chance to thrive.
Here’s how:
- Place the box high up, at least 5 metres above the ground, under the eaves of your house.
- Choose a shaded spot that’s not in full sunshine all day.
- Make sure there’s a clear flight path. No trees, wires or walls in the way.
- Boxes should face north or east to avoid overheating in strong afternoon sun.
- Don’t worry if you don’t see Swifts straight away. It may take a year or two before they find your box, but with a little patience, they often return every summer.
Every Swift counts
By protecting Swifts, we’re helping biodiversity thrive. These birds are a beautiful part of our summer skies and play an important role in our ecosystem, especially as they feed on flying insects like midges and mosquitoes.
We’re proud to play our part in supporting Swifts and protecting nature. Join us this Swift Awareness Week to raise your eyes to the skies, and maybe even give a Swift a home.